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 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

November 21, 2024

ALL STAFF AT UC SAN DIEGO (excluding UC San Diego Health and Health Sciences) 

People Leaders:  For staff without ready access to email, please print and post a copy of this email. 

As I shared in our recent Staff Town Hall, in moments like these when the weight of the world feels especially heavy, it’s natural to feel a range of emotions - for some, joy and relief, and for others uncertainty, frustration, and even despair. As your Chief Human Resources Officer, I want to acknowledge those feelings openly and validate the impact that global events can have on each of us, while reminding you of the valuable assistance available to us through our Faculty and Staff Assistance Program.

We are also witnessing activity closer to home. Some of your colleagues may have been exercising their rights on campus since yesterday. They are allowed to do so in a respectful manner that doesn’t otherwise infringe upon anyone else’s right to come to work. Their expression is a reminder of the deeply human desire for dignity, fairness, and progress, and it is important to honor that while they do the same.

With everything that’s going on on top of our personal and professional day-to-day responsibilities, it’s important to find what keeps us grounded. As we approach Thanksgiving (for those who celebrate), I’ve been reflecting on the things that anchor me. For me, those things are gratitude and grace (as you’ve heard me talk about aplenty before, and I’ll keep banging on that drum till the end of time). Especially in the darkest of times, I choose to embrace gratitude for what I cherish most - my family at home, and my family at work - you. 

I know it’s not the easiest to bring our best selves to work each day when navigating times like these. Yet, I want to encourage you to stay centered in respect and appreciation for one another. Let us remember that gratitude is the bond that glues us together, and grace is the strength that carries us through. Stay strong. 

Lead with grace and courage,  

Terri S. Winbush 
Campus Chief Human Resources Officer 

As outlined in the UC Payroll Policy (see pages 2 and 3 regarding holiday payroll schedules), the first payroll for both monthly and biweekly schedules will be processed on Jan. 2, 2025. Some employees may expect payments to be made on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1, 2025); however, as outlined in the UC Policy, payments will be issued on the next banking day, which is Jan. 2, 2025. For a complete list of 2025 payroll dates, visit Blink. For questions, submit an inquiry to UCPath.

An important reminder that all university non-faculty employees are required to submit their time worked, report absences, and/or acknowledge they have no absences to report by the deadlines established for each pay period. Accurate and complete time and leave reporting not only ensures that we get paid properly, but also that the university meets its obligations to pay for work performed while helping ensure the responsible use of public funds.

As part of our ongoing strategic planning process, we are seeking your valuable input on our key initiatives. Please take five minutes to share your reflections on the initiatives, how the priorities resonate with you, and suggest any additional areas we should consider. Access the Qualtrics survey here.

Open Enrollment for the 2025 period ends tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m. PST. This means that after tomorrow at 5 p.m. PST, you will not be able to make any selections for your 2025 benefits (unless you have a qualifying event), and you will have to wait a whole year to make changes for the 2026 period. Learn more on Blink.

If you missed our Staff Town Hall yesterday, Nov. 20, you can view a recording of it on Blink in the coming week. We highlighted student employment, campus planning, discussed updates from HR, Staff Association, Wellness and more. Be sure to mark your calendar for our next Staff Town Hall, scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 from 1:30 - 3 p.m. Register on Zoom here.

The Inclusive Excellence Awards (IEA) are accepting nominations through Monday, Nov. 25. These awards recognize faculty, staff, students, and departments or groups for their leadership in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion, and for their strong commitment to the UC San Diego Principles of Community. Submit your nomination by Monday, Nov. 25, and visit the IEA Blink page for details.

The Celebration of Cultures event organizers are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help make this event a success. The event takes place Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m - 1 p.m. at the Epstein Family Amphitheater. Volunteering opportunities are only one hour long, and include performer assistance, line facilitation, wristband distribution, and managing the opportunity drawing table. Interested? Sign up through this Google form by Nov. 27 with your availability. For questions or more information, contact Alyson Hong. 

Student Employment and the Teaching and Learning Commons are partnering to ensure all student employment jobs are included in UC San Diego’s Co-Curricular Record (CCR), recognizing the valuable skills students gain through campus employment. We encourage student-employee supervisors and HR contacts to engage with us to complete this project by the end of the academic year. Visit the Student Employment CCR Initiative website to learn more about the CCR and this initiative. 

Campus Human Resources is working on a new training series to support People Leaders (managers, supervisors, leaders of humans) called “People Leader Support Series.” We have a list of topics, and we’d like to hear from you about what you think is most important. Help us prioritize our efforts by taking two minutes or fewer to record your recommendations.

The final people leadership offering for fall 2024 is Communication and Collaboration Tools for Teams (December 4), and registration is available for this no-cost Zoom session. Stay tuned for the 2025 calendar and exciting news about the forthcoming People Leader Support Series!

Join your fellow UC colleagues in a fun activity and nutrition challenge between Monday, Nov. 25 - Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. Track activities to earn points, and create teams (not required) of 4-40 to keep motivation up! Raffle prizes available for those who participate, including a fitbit! Learn more here.

Join our Faculty and Staff Assistance Program for an in-person conversation for campus Jewish staff, faculty, and postdocs from campus and Health on Friday, Dec. 6 from 12:30 - 2 p.m. This space is intended to bring Jewish-identified individuals into community and conversation in a visioning of future steps in 2025. Visit Blink to learn more and sign up. Pre-registration is required.

This is a free and voluntary program offering hundreds of live and on-demand 7-minute sessions to support you throughout your work week. Topics include movement, stress-reduction, mindfulness and meditation, yoga, nutrition, and more. Take breaks for the opportunity to win a $50 gift card. Sign up for Bright Breaks here.

UC San Diego employees can sign up for the monthly Employee Wellness newsletter highlighting wellness-related announcements, upcoming events and programs, wellness info and tips, free programs for employees, monthly raffles for subscribers, and more. Fill out this registration form to sign up.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Epstein Family Amphitheater for the third annual Celebration of Cultures. Tickets are now available, but only in limited quantities! So secure yours today, and if you haven’t signed up already, consider volunteering at the event.

Go behind the scenes with La Jolla Symphony & Chorus at Mandeville Auditorium with an open dress rehearsal and meet-and-greet with conductor Sameer Patel on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. Their upcoming concert Luminosity takes place Dec. 7 and 8, featuring a sensational full orchestra and live chorus. The La Jolla Symphony and Chorus is graciously extending UC San Diego Staff exclusive discounted tickets using the code: 10OFF. To learn more and secure your tickets, visit ljsc.org. 

Join us for soup, sandwiches, and good company on Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., or 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Price Center West Ballroom A. Triton Treats is a great opportunity to network with fellow UC San Diego staff while enjoying free, tasty provisions. Grab your treat and stay to mingle, or take it back to the office. Learn more on the Staff Association website.

Calling HR professionals on campus to join the last HR Forum of 2024 on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 from 1:30 – 3 p.m. Register and submit questions in advance through Zoom, and stay tuned for specifics through your HR Network newsletter.

People Leaders, save the date for our upcoming People Leader Summit on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. Register and submit questions in advance through Zoom. We are still fleshing out amazing programming for the year, so stay tuned for details through your People Leader Network newsletter. What’s a People Leader? Learn more on Blink. 

Join Enrollment Management and College Access Outreach Programs at UC San Diego on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, for an engaging event designed to support pathways into higher education. The event will feature informative sessions on various higher education pathways; the college admissions process; financial aid and scholarships; and preparing for success in college. Interested? Complete the interest form to secure your spot.

As shared in this recent campus notice, UC San Diego employees should submit attestation or declination of the influenza vaccine through the Flu Vaccination Attestation or Declination form, available in English and Spanish. Hot off the presses, President Drake has recommended an extended deadline of no later than Friday, Dec. 1, 2024. 

During the 2024 holiday season, UC San Diego (excluding the hospitals and clinics) will officially close for seven (7) days between Tuesday, December 24, 2024, and Wednesday, January 1, 2025. The closure period includes four (4) university paid holidays (December 24, 25, 31 and January 1, 2025). Learn more in this recent campus notice. 

UC has launched a required system-wide training on preventing workplace violence in support of the Workplace Violence Prevention Program, and in accordance with the requirements of California Labor Code section 6401.9. Thank you to everyone who has completed this training so far. For those who have not, you must complete it by Dec. 6, 2024. Please log in to UC Learning Center (UCLC) to complete the training, or check your inbox for an email from UCLC sent on Oct. 8. You can learn more in this recent campus notice.